Whitby Dunlops move into second place in Allan Cup Hockey

Empty-net goal seals 4-2 win over Welland Whalers

WELLAND -- It was no easy task, but the Whitby Dunlops escaped Welland Saturday with a win over the last-place expansion Whalers.

Dylan O'Neil snapped a 2-2 tie with 2:03 remaining and Adam Van Dam added the clincher into an empty net as the Dunlops prevailed 4-2 in Allan Cup Hockey league play.

The Dunlops improved to 5-2-1 and moved into second place, one point ahead of the Dundas Real McCoys (5-4-0) and five back of the still-perfect Brantford Blast (8-0-0).

The Whalers, who were coming off a 5-4 win in Orillia the night before, are now 1-8-0 and two points behind Orillia (2-6-0) for the fourth and final playoff spot.

After a scoreless first period, Jamie Tyminski opened the scoring for the Whalers midway through the second, but Kyle Musselman sent the game into the third tied with a power-play goal late in the frame.

Captain Jay McAuley gave the Dunlops the lead 21 seconds into the third, but Joe Forte tied it back up just 28 seconds after that to set the stage for O'Neil's winner.

Dayne Davis made 46 saves as the Whalers out-shot the Dunlops 48-47.

It's a slow part of the schedule for the Dunlops, who are in Orillia Friday and not back home until Saturday, Dec. 8 against Brantford.